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(No Model) F. H. RICHARDS. GRAIN WEIG'HER.

No. 442,713. Patented-Dec. 16,-1890.

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No. 442,713. Patent-ed Dec. 16, 1890,

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UNrrED STATES PATENT Orrica.

FRANCIS ll. RICHARDS, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE PRATT 8: \VHITNEY COMPANY, OF. SAME PLACE.

G-RAIN-WEIGHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 442,713, dated December 16, 1890.

Application filed February 20, 1890. Serial No. 341,196- (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS H. RICHARDS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in GrainWVeighers,

of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to regulator grainweighers operated by the power or weight of the grain weighing.

My invention has for its object the simplification and improvement of this class of grainweighers, and also to reduce and cut off the column of grain and to regulate the machine, using only one valve.

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a side elevation of an automatic grain'weigher embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same, some parts being broken away the better to show certain details. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the upper portion of the machine. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the grain-bucket and accessory devices. Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view in line a a, Fig. 4, showing the parts immediately below said line, together with a section of one side of the frame-work.- Fig. 6 is a plan view of the regulator-hopper and accessory parts and showing the uprights of the frame-work in section, the view being taken in line b b, Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a vertical section of the regulator-hopper, the view being taken in line 0 c of Fig. 6, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow. Figs. 8, 9, and 10 are side elevations of the upper portion of the machine similar to the upper part of Fig. 1, showing the successive steps of the operation of the valve mechanism.

Similar characters designate like parts in all the figures.

The frame-work for carrying the operative parts of this machine usually, and as shown in the drawings, comprises two side frames or uprights 2 and at, held together by the top plate 5, carrying the supply-chute H, and by the hopper P, which in this case constitutes the base of the machine.

The grain-bucket G, of the double-chambered type or class used in the well-known Hill grain-scale, and having the dischargespouts 34: and 36, is suspended under the chute H and discharges its load of grain interinittingly, in the manner substantially as shown in prior Letters Patent of the United States. Said bucket G is journaled at 12 in bearings formed in the hangers 16 and 18, which are suspended by V-shaped bearings on the pivots or knife-edges and-17, respectively, of the principal arms 19 and 21 of the scale-beam B. This beam has V-shaped bearing. and 22, one at each end of the hollow shaft thereof, which rest on the pivots or knife-edges 24 and 26, that are suitably supported,'as by bearings 23 and 25, on the frame-work. Opposite to arms 19 and 21 an arm 28 extends rearwardly, and is provided with a pivot or knife-edge 27, on which the main or counterweight V is suspended by a hook 29. The oscillation of the bucket G within the hangers is limited by suitable stops, as 92 and 9e and 93 and 95, which stops may also be any other of the well-known kinds which are shown in prior Letters Patent for like purposes. The spouts 34B and 36 are al ternately closed by the closer L, which is pivotally supported on the bucket, and is operated by some suitable connection with the hangers thereof.

The form of bucket-closer here shown consists of the two,oppositelydisposed and suitably-shaped plates or closers proper and 76, formed integral and having the arms 79 and 80 and pivoted to the bucket G at 77 and 7 8. Said plates are preferably cup-shaped, as shown,so as to hold the grain without closing against the edges of the bucket-spouts. To the upper ends of the arms 79 and 80, respectively, are pivoted at 83 and 85 one end of the links 81 and 82, whose opposite ends are pivoted at 8* and 86, respectively, to the lower ends of the said hangers. By this means the closer L constitutes a connecting rockshaft controlling the relative movements of the hangers and their movements relative to the bucket; also, the stops 92 91 and 93 95 serve to limit the movement of the closer by limiting the movement of the bucket in its hangers, for the closer-plates 75 and 7 6 do not close against the bucket-spouts, but stand free thereof.

The operation of the closer L will be eviroc dent from comparison of Figs. 1. and t, wherein the bucket is shown in opposite positions. In Fig. 1 the rearward (right hand) chamber is closed, while in Fig. 4 the forward (left hand) chamber is closed. The movement of the closer is, when thus constructed and arranged, simultaneous and coincident with the oscillating movement of the bucket.

For locking the bucket in its respective p0 sitions I have provided means of a composite nature, in which are combined a toggle-joint and a latch for locking said device. By this means great power, together with sensitiveness of action, is obtained.

The toggle-joint part of this apparatus comprises the lever a0, pivoted at 47 to the arm #11 of hanger 16, and the link 18, pivoted to said lever at 49 and at 51 to the bucket. The detent latch or lever 12 is pivoted at it) to the arm 38 of the hanger 10, and is operated by the end thereof striking -the stop or abutment 46,here shown formed on the inner side of the upright 2. The short arm or detentpawl 11 of said lever 12 engages with the notches 39 of the said lever 40. In practice several notches are formed on the lever 40, as shown, so that any slight variation in the stroke of said lever will not prevent pawl 41 from locking the same. Besides, the togglejoint centers do not in practice always come to precisely the same relative positions or angles, especially since the bucket tends to rebound when it shifts its position, so that some means is desirable for instantly locking the bucket though its stroke should vary somewhat. hen the bucket descends the arm 45 is lifted by bracket 40, and thus disengages the pawl 41 from the lever 40. This lever is then first lifted by the link 18 (which shifts from its position in Fig. 1 to that in Fig. 4, or vice versa) and then lowered thereby. During or immediately following the latter movement the bucket ascends and allows the pawl 41 to re-engage said lever-notches, and thus relock said lever in substantially its first position, but with the link and bucket in their opposite positions. It will be observed thatthe angle of the toggle-centers is such as to overcome the angle of repose, and thus render the deteut apparatus always operative by the force of the loaded bucket whenever the detent-pawl is disengaged.

The hopper 1 forms, as stated,a part of the frame-work of the machine. 011 one side it has an opening, under which the movable bottom 100 is placed, and is connected to operate the regulator devices. On the sides of said opening are the side walls 108 and 100, which work between and clear of the side walls 110 and 112 of the plate 100. The said movable bottom or regulator is pivoted at 98 and 99 to the said hopper, and at itslowercud is conneeted by a rod 101, pivoted thereto at 102, with the arm 101, which is fixed to the rocksha'ft 105, that is journaled in the uprights 2 and r. The weight arm orlever l0,furnishod with the counter-weight 11, is shown fixed to said shaft 105 for normally upholding said regulator. When the plate 100 is raised or lowered, the grain works freely between the said side walls 108 and 10$) and 110 and 112, and thus prevents clogging; also, the plate being inclined, as shown, the grain which works in between said side walls also moves gradually down the plate toward the dischargeehute 107, thus further avoiding any clogging. To said arm 10 is attached the lower end of the connecting-rod 13, whose upper end is pivoted at 67 to the links 63 and US. The link 63 is also pivoted at 87 to the arm 52 of the beam 13. The point (37 should substantially coincide with the axis of the scale-beam, which is the line of its supporting knifeedges. arm 89, which is fixed to the stud or shaft 88, that is journaled in a bearing formed therefor on the arm 10 of the scale-beam. The shittable valve actuator orarm '71 is also fixed to the shaft or stud 8S, and is adapted to be shifted by means of the regulator devices" from its position in Figs. 1, S, and 9 to that in Fig. 10, just described. Said actuator when operated by said regulator devices acts on the cam-shaped valve-lever 69 (which is fixed to the valve-shaft 01) to open or close valve 60 indepel'idently of the movement of the beam B. The valve 60 is carried by the arms 02 and 6t, which are fixed to the valve-shaft 01, that is journaled in suitable bearings formed on the supply-chute ll. formed on the valve-arm 02 to engage with the catch 57 of the stoplever 58, that is countel-weighted and is pivoted. at to the chute II. A fixed stop or pin is provided to limit the upward movcmentot said level-5S. \Vhen the major part of a load of grain has been delivered into the grain-bucket, the beam 13,

gradually descends, thus allowing the valve (30 (through the action of the beam-arm 71 and the weighted arm 09) to partially close under the mouth 05 of the chute it and reduce the column of grain to the propersize for thedrip to complete theload. Said reducing movement is completed when the catch 59 comes against the stop or catch 57, thereby stopping the further closing of the valve 00, as shown in Fig. 3. The drip now continues until the beam descends below the poising-point, as in Fig. 9, when, the load being fully made up, the descent of the beam carries the arm 71 down upon the outer end of the lever 58, and thus disengages said step 57 from the catch 50, thereby allowing the valve 00 to fully close and cut off the How of grain entirely. At this time the parts assume the positions shown in Fig. 9. On the arm 71 disengaging the catch 57 the valve suddenly closes by reason of the weight of the lever 00, which lever immediately prior to said disengagement stands tree of said arm, as in Fig. 8. On said valve closure the outer end of said lever 69, by reason of the suitable proportion of the several parts, strikes the arm 71., as in Fig. 9, thus applying to the beam a sudden The link 68 is pivoted at 91 to the,

A valve-catch 59 is and powerful downward thrust for carrying down thebucket to surely and promptly disengage the bucket-detent apparatus; and it will be observed that during the poisin g period of the beam movement the beam is free of all contact with the valve mechanism.

For regulating the action of the machine the hereinbefore'described regulator apparatus is employed to shift the arm 71 on the scale-beam, as illustrated in Fig. 10. In-this figure the scale-beam stands in the position shown in Fig. 1; but the rod 13 has been operated to throw upward the links 63 and 68, and thus throw the shiftable valve-actuator 71 into its inoperative position. This movement of said actuator lowers the lever 69 and at the same time strikes the lever 58, so that the catch 59 cannot strike the catch 57. This insures the complete closing of the valve. lVhen a sufficient quantity of grain has accumulated in the hopper P to carry down the regulator-plate 100, the connections described, acting through the shaft 105 and the said actuator-shifting devices, shifts the actuator on the beam, as shown in Fig. 10, and thus closes the valve to stop the machine, and when said accumulation is sufficiently reduced the regulator counter-weight reversely operates said devices and shifts the said actuator into its operative position, thus opening the valve, as in Fig. 8, and starting the machine. Thus the machine is completely operative, both for regular weighing and for self-regulation by the use of a single valve.

It will of course be understood that other kinds of regulators than the regulator herein shown may be used for effecting the shifting of the valve-actuator on the scale-beam. One such other regulator is shown and described in Letters Patent of the United States No. 410,116, granted to me August 27, 1889. The valve herein described together with the lever 69 thereof are parts of a combination not of my invention, but which is described and claimed in the application of C. H. Cooley, Serial No. 338,818, filed January 31, 1890. a

That feature of the grain-weigher herein described which consists in the shift-able valve actuator normally operated by the scale-beam and exceptionally operated by the regulator is broadly claimed in a separate application, Serial No. 340,814, filed February 20, 1890, to which reference may be had.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. In a grain-weigher, the combination, with a double-chambered oscillating bucket supported by hangers suspended from the scalebeam, of the closer journaled on the bucket and operatively connected with the hangers, said closer having two closerblades for the two bucketspouts, respectively, and being pivoted to the bucket between the spouts thereof, all organized and coactin g substantially as described to operate the closersimultaneously and in coincidence with the movement of the bucket in its supporting-hangers.

G journaled therein, of the closer L, journaled on the bucket and having the closer-blades 7 5 and 7 6, arranged to stand when closed free of the bucket, connections, substantially as described, operativelyconnecting said hang-- ers and closer, and stops limiting the movementof the closer by limiting the movement of the bucket in the hangers.

4. In agrain-weigher, the combination, with. the oscillating grain-bucket having the discharge-spouts 34 and 36 and supported and operating substantially as set forth, of the closer L, pivoted to said bucket at 77 and '78 and comprising the two oppositely-disposed concaved plates and 76.

5. In a grain-weigher, the combination, with the oscillating bucket supported by hangers, substantially as described, of a bucket-detent apparatus consisting in a toggle connected at one end to the hanger and at the other end to the bucket, and-detent devices, substantially as described, carried by the hanger and arranged to engage one part of said toggle and adapted to be operated to lock and unlock said toggle.

6. In a grain-weigher, the combination, with the oscillating bucket supported substantially as described, of the toggle connecting the bucket and its supporting-hanger, one element of said toggle having one or more catches thereon, the pawl engaging said catches to lock the toggle, and a stop operating to disengage said catches on the descent of the bucket.

7. In a grain-weigher, the combination, with the oscillating bucket supported by hangers, substantially as described, of the toggle-lever pivoted to the hanger and having detentcatches, the link connecting said lever and the bucket, the detent-lever pivoted to the hanger and adapted to engage said detentcatches, and means operating said detent-lever on the descent of the bucket to disengage the same from said catches.

8. In a grain-weigher, the combination, with the scalebeam carrying a valve-actuating arm, substantially as described, shiftable on said beam, of the valve and its lever operated by saidarm, and a stop-arm pivotally supported on the frame-work and arranged to hold the valve partially open for obtaining the drip, said parts being organized and coacting to disengage the valve on the beam going below the poising-point by said shiftable arm engaging the stop-arm.

El. Ina grain Weigher, the combination, with the scale-beam having a shift-able valve-actuator, substantially as described, of the valve actuated substantially as described by said actuator and having a catch, the stop-arm arranged to engage said catch to hold the valve partially open, and regulator apparatus operating to shift said actuator on the beam-to allow the valve to close and to hold said stoparm disengaged from the valve-catch.

10. In a grain-weigher, the combination, with the scale-beam, of the arm '71, pivoted thereto and having the arm 89, the links for shifting said arm 71 on the beam, and regulator apparatus for actuating said links.

11. In a grain-weigher, the combination, with the scalebeam, of the valve provided with a valve-lever, the valve-actuator pivoted to the beam and adapted for actuating the valve through said lever, regulator apparatus shiftin g said actuator on the beam, and valvestopping devices, substantially as described,

arranged to be operated by said actuator on the downward movement of the beam and on the shifting of said actuator on the beam.

12. In a grain-weigher, the combination, with the scale-beam, of the valve pivotally supported substantially as described and having the lever 69, the stop-arm 58, normally engaging the valve to hold the valve partially open when the beam is partially lowered, and the shit'table arm carried on the beam and normally operating to open the valve on the rising of the beam and to disengage said stoparm on the full descentof the beam, and actuator-shifting apparatus arranged to shift said arm 71 on the beam to close the valve and disengage said stop-arm when the beam is up.

FRANCIS ll. RIG] AR DS.

Witnesses:

HENRY L. REOKARD, W. M. BYORKMAN. 

